What to Know About the Pacoima Wrongful Death Crash Involving a Fire Engine

On March 30, 2025, a devastating collision at the intersection of San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street in Pacoima claimed the life of one individual and left a community in shock. According to Yahoo News, the fatal crash involved a civilian vehicle and a Los Angeles Fire Department engine that was responding to an emergency call. The crash’s severity, combined with its involvement of public safety personnel, raises complex questions about Pacoima wrongful death, liability, emergency protocols, and the rights of the deceased’s family.

Tragic incidents like this are more than breaking news stories; they represent life-altering moments for victims and their loved ones. In the wake of a fatal collision, families must contend with grief, unanswered legal questions, and mounting financial burdens. That’s where King Law steps in. With decades of experience in wrongful death and personal injury litigation throughout Southern California, our team is here to help families in Pacoima seek justice, compensation, and accountability.

If you lost a loved one in a crash involving a government vehicle or emergency responder, you have legal rights. This article will guide you through what happened in the Pacoima crash, what California law says about wrongful death involving emergency vehicles, and how King Law can help you file a claim and preserve your family’s future.

Details of the Fatal Crash in Pacoima

The tragic collision that occurred on March 30, 2025, at the intersection of San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street in Pacoima underscores the serious risks that arise when emergency response vehicles collide with civilian traffic. According to preliminary reports, a Los Angeles Fire Department fire engine traveling northbound on San Fernando Road was involved in a violent impact with a passenger vehicle in the middle of the intersection. The crash resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.

What Happened at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street?

At approximately 1:00 p.m., the fire engine was in route to an emergency call when it entered the intersection with its lights and sirens activated. As it crossed Terra Bella Street, the fire engine reportedly collided with a black sedan. The force of the crash caused the civilian vehicle to become severely crushed. Emergency responders on the scene administered aid, but one person inside the car tragically died from their injuries.

The fire engine also sustained major damage. Several firefighters aboard the vehicle were evaluated for injuries, and at least two were transported to the hospital. The crash prompted an immediate investigation from multiple agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Fire Department’s internal review team.

The Dangers of High-Speed Emergency Responses

Although emergency vehicles are permitted under California law to proceed through red lights or intersections while responding to calls, they must still exercise due caution. California Vehicle Code § 21055 outlines the privileges granted to emergency responders but also emphasizes the duty to avoid endangering the public.

Intersections like San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street are particularly dangerous due to multiple lanes, high traffic volume, and limited sightlines. In situations where fire engines or ambulances travel at high speeds with lights and sirens, other motorists may be unsure how to respond, leading to confusion, hesitation, or collisions.

The intersection is situated in a dense, mixed-use area of Pacoima surrounded by commercial businesses, residential buildings, and nearby schools. You can view the exact crash location on Google Maps to see the complex traffic layout and potential visibility challenges.

Scene Investigation and Early Findings

As with all fatal collisions involving public service vehicles, multiple departments have launched investigations. Authorities will likely review surveillance footage, black box data from the fire engine, and dashcam video if available. Key questions in the investigation include:

Did the fire engine enter the intersection lawfully and safely?
Were the emergency sirens and lights activated as required?
Did the civilian vehicle have time to stop or yield?
Were any traffic signals or visibility issues involved?

In fatal accidents like this, the findings from the initial investigation play a pivotal role in determining liability and guiding any legal claims, including potential wrongful death actions.

One Life Lost, Many Lives Affected

While media coverage has focused on the involvement of the fire engine, it’s crucial to remember that a life was lost and that family members are left to grapple with overwhelming grief. Wrongful death cases don’t just seek financial compensation; they also serve to hold accountable those who acted negligently, even when the at-fault party is a government agency.

At King Law, we believe that every fatal crash deserves a thorough investigation and full legal accountability, no matter who was involved. Families in Pacoima deserve answers and legal support as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.

Who Is Liable in Emergency Vehicle Accidents in California

Emergency responders are vital to public safety, but when a fire engine, ambulance, or police cruiser causes a fatal crash, legal accountability becomes complex. In California, families affected by accidents involving government vehicles must navigate a challenging legal framework that includes sovereign immunity laws, special deadlines, and public agency protections. Understanding who may be liable in the Pacoima wrongful death crash is essential for pursuing justice.

Understanding California’s Emergency Vehicle Exemptions

Under California Vehicle Code § 21055, emergency vehicles may disregard traffic laws such as red lights and speed limits only if certain conditions are met. These include the following.

The Vehicle Must Be Responding to an Actual Emergency

To qualify for special legal protections under California Vehicle Code § 21055, an emergency vehicle must be actively responding to a legitimate emergency. This means the fire engine must be en route to an emergency scene, such as a fire, medical crisis, or life-threatening incident. Simply operating as a government vehicle does not grant automatic exemption from traffic laws.

If the Pacoima fire engine was not dispatched to an emergency, or if the situation had already been resolved, the vehicle may not have been legally permitted to disregard normal traffic controls. In such cases, immunity does not apply, and the driver, department, and city may be held liable for wrongful death. Determining whether an actual emergency existed at the time of the crash is one of the first steps King Law takes when investigating a fatal public safety collision.

Lights and Sirens Must Be in Use

California law requires that emergency vehicles use both lights and sirens when exercising the right to proceed through intersections or exceed the speed limit. This is not optional. The use of audible and visual signals alerts nearby drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians of the vehicle’s approach and gives them time to react accordingly.

In the Pacoima incident, if it is found that the fire engine failed to activate its sirens or flashing lights, or did so too late, then the driver may have been operating outside the scope of lawful emergency privileges. Courts have repeatedly ruled that failure to use required warning systems strips emergency drivers of legal protections and opens the door for full civil liability.

The Driver Must Exercise Due Regard for Safety

Even when responding to a valid emergency with all lights and sirens engaged, emergency vehicle drivers still must operate with “due regard for the safety of all persons.” This means they are not permitted to plow through red lights or speed blindly through intersections without evaluating the conditions around them.

“Due regard” is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and includes considerations like visibility, pedestrian presence, traffic congestion, weather conditions, and road layout. In the case of the fatal Pacoima wrongful death crash, investigators will examine whether the fire engine driver took reasonable precautions before entering the intersection at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street.

Can Government Agencies Be Sued for Wrongful Death?

Yes, but with critical restrictions. California’s Government Claims Act (Gov. Code § 810 et seq.) generally protects state and local agencies from lawsuits unless specific procedures are followed. However, public agencies can still be held liable for:

Negligent operation of a motor vehicle by an employee during work duties
Dangerous conditions on public property
Failure to properly train or supervise employees

In this case, if investigators determine that the fire engine driver violated protocol, the City of Los Angeles may be named in a wrongful death claim. The California Government Claims Program requires claimants to file a government tort claim within six months of the accident.

What “Due Regard for Safety” Means in Real-World Crashes

While California law gives emergency vehicles special privileges, they must still operate with what the courts call “due regard” for others on the road. This standard is evaluated based on several factors.

Visibility and Awareness

Emergency responders are trained to anticipate how civilians will react. For example, if an intersection has blind curves or obstructed views, like at San Fernando Rd & Terra Bella St, then the driver must slow down, even with sirens activated.

Speed and Intersection Protocols

In urban areas like Pacoima, high speeds through intersections are extremely dangerous. Even while using lights and sirens, emergency vehicles must do the following.

Slow Down at Red Lights

Even when an emergency vehicle has its lights and sirens activated, California law requires the driver to slow down before entering a red light. The expectation is not just to notify others, but to evaluate the intersection for safety. Blasting through a red light without pausing is dangerous, even when responding to a life-threatening call.

In the Pacoima wrongful death crash, a key question investigators will ask is whether the fire engine reduced speed at the light. Failing to slow down could be interpreted as gross negligence, which eliminates immunity under California Vehicle Code § 21055. Slowing at intersections allows surrounding drivers time to yield and reduces the likelihood of high-impact collisions, especially on multi-lane roads like San Fernando Road.

Proceed Only When the Intersection Is Clear

No emergency vehicle, regardless of urgency, is permitted to charge through an intersection unless it is clear and safe to do so. California law imposes a duty of “due regard for safety” that supersedes even an emergency response. This includes checking all directions of cross-traffic, ensuring stopped vehicles remain stationary, and verifying that pedestrians are not in the crosswalk.

If the fire engine involved in the Pacoima crash entered the intersection while it was still active with cross-traffic or obstructed views, that could serve as strong evidence of negligence. Fire department protocols typically instruct drivers to “clear the box” before proceeding through any signal-controlled crossing. Failing to do so exposes not only civilian drivers but the emergency crew itself to significant danger.

Avoid Overtaking Traffic Dangerously

Emergency responders often need to maneuver around stopped or slow-moving vehicles. However, overtaking traffic, especially in a tight urban environment, must be done with extreme caution. California emergency vehicle operation standards advise against passing vehicles in intersections, curves, or other areas with limited visibility.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) notes that most fire engine fatalities involving civilians occur at intersections, just like this case.

Training and Policy Violations

If the firefighter driving the engine failed to follow department policy or safety training protocols, that failure could establish negligence per se. In some cases, entire departments may be liable for failing to supervise or discipline unsafe drivers.

What Role Do Traffic Signals and Infrastructure Play?

In many wrongful death crashes, the road itself is partially to blame. At San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street, factors like signal timing, visibility, and poor signage may have contributed to the accident. If a defective traffic signal or poor intersection design played a role, Caltrans or the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation may share liability.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), local governments are responsible for ensuring that intersections are:

Properly marked and timed
Equipped with working signals
Designed to minimize visibility hazards

When these conditions are not met, families can file a claim for the dangerous condition of public property, another pathway to accountability.

Multiple Liable Parties in a Government-Involved Crash

Wrongful death cases involving emergency vehicles often include more than one defendant. In the Pacoima crash, potential parties may include the following.

The Fire Engine Driver May Be Personally Liable

When an emergency vehicle is involved in a fatal crash, one of the first legal questions is whether the driver operated the vehicle safely and lawfully. In the Pacoima wrongful death incident, if the fire engine driver failed to activate lights and sirens properly, ran a red light without slowing, or entered the intersection recklessly, they may be found individually liable.

California law does not shield emergency responders from liability when they act with gross negligence or disregard the safety of others. Video footage, black box data, and eyewitness accounts will be critical in determining the driver’s conduct. If the fire engine operator did not follow department policy or state protocols during the response, they could be named directly in a wrongful death claim filed by the victim’s family.

The Los Angeles Fire Department May Be Liable for Negligent Supervision

Beyond the individual driver, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) itself may bear legal responsibility. Municipal agencies must ensure that their employees are adequately trained, supervised, and fit for duty. If the firefighter behind the wheel had a history of unsafe driving, failed recent safety certifications, or was improperly dispatched, the department may be considered negligent.

In previous wrongful death cases, King Law has held fire departments accountable for failing to discipline repeat offenders or for ignoring red flags in driver behavior. Public records, internal disciplinary logs, and department communication protocols can reveal whether systemic failures contributed to the Pacoima crash. If so, the department may face civil liability for wrongful death alongside the City of Los Angeles.

The City of Los Angeles May Be Held Liable Under Respondent Superior

When a city employee causes harm while performing official duties, California law allows victims to hold the municipality accountable through the doctrine of respondent superior. In this case, the fire engine was responding to an emergency as part of the driver’s job responsibilities. As such, the City of Los Angeles may be sued directly for the fatal crash in Pacoima.

Wrongful death claims against public entities must comply with the California Government Claims Act, which requires that families file a notice of claim within six months of the incident. Missing this deadline can forfeit the right to compensation. King Law helps families navigate these strict procedures and ensures no critical filing windows are overlooked.

Other Civilian Drivers Could Share Fault

Although this crash primarily involved a fire engine and one civilian vehicle, additional civilian drivers may have contributed to the circumstances that caused the fatality. For example, a third vehicle may have obstructed the fire engine’s path, illegally entered the intersection, or stopped abruptly, creating a scenario that left no safe option for either vehicle involved in the collision.

Under California’s comparative negligence system, multiple parties can be assigned a percentage of fault. If another driver’s actions created a hazard or made it impossible for the fire engine to stop in time, that driver may be named in a wrongful death lawsuit, even if they were not directly struck. Identifying all involved parties is a crucial part of King Law’s accident investigation strategy.

Traffic Signal Maintenance Contractors Could Be Liable for Malfunctioning Equipment

Traffic signal timing and operation play a central role in intersection safety. If the traffic lights at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street were not functioning correctly, changed too quickly, or failed to account for emergency vehicle override protocols, the contractor responsible for maintaining the signal may be held partially liable.

In many California cities, third-party vendors handle traffic signal calibration and repair. These companies are obligated to maintain safe equipment and respond to known issues promptly. If records show prior complaints about that intersection, or if the lights failed during the crash, a wrongful death claim may extend to the contractor. King Law often subpoenas maintenance records, repair logs, and government contracts to uncover failures in infrastructure management.

The Legal Standard for Wrongful Death in California

To establish liability in a wrongful death claim under California law, an attorney must prove three essential elements, first, that a person has died; second, that the death was directly caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct; and third, that surviving family members have suffered measurable losses both economic and emotional as a result of the death. These foundational requirements apply to all wrongful death cases, including the fatal March 30, 2025, crash in Pacoima involving a Los Angeles Fire Department fire engine. Successfully proving these elements is the first step toward securing justice and compensation for the surviving family.

This is codified under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Once this legal threshold is met, families may be entitled to compensation for:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of future income
Emotional distress and loss of companionship

These claims can be filed alongside a separate survival action, which focuses on the pain, suffering, and expenses incurred by the deceased before death.

Why Legal Representation Is Crucial in Government Liability Cases

Cases involving public entities are procedurally and legally complex. Government agencies often have entire legal departments devoted to denying or minimizing claims. Without legal counsel, grieving families may unknowingly miss filing deadlines, fall for lowball settlements, or struggle to gather the evidence needed to prove negligence.

The Legal Rights of Families After a Wrongful Death in Pacoima

When a loved one dies in a preventable accident, the emotional pain is immediate, but the legal and financial impact often lasts for years. Under California law, families have powerful legal rights after a wrongful death. These rights allow surviving relatives to pursue justice through civil court and seek financial compensation for the profound loss they’ve suffered.

The fatal crash at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street has left the Pacoima community shaken. For the family of the deceased, the days ahead may feel overwhelming. Understanding who can file a wrongful death claim, what damages are available, and how the legal process works can empower survivors to take action and protect their family’s future.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Not everyone affected by a person’s death is legally entitled to file a claim. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 defines a specific group of people who are permitted to bring a wrongful death lawsuit.

Spouses and Domestic Partners Have Primary Legal Standing

The first party eligible to file a wrongful death claim is the decedent’s surviving spouse or registered domestic partner. California law recognizes both legally married spouses and officially registered domestic partners. These individuals typically experience the most direct financial and emotional losses after a wrongful death, and courts give them priority in filing.

In a case like the Pacoima wrongful death crash, a surviving spouse can pursue damages for both tangible financial losses and intangible suffering, such as the loss of companionship and emotional distress caused by the sudden death.

Children and Stepchildren May Also Qualify

If the deceased person had biological or adopted children, those children are also eligible to file a wrongful death claim. In some cases, stepchildren may qualify as well, particularly if they were financially dependent on the deceased at the time of death.

For families in Pacoima, this right ensures that young children or dependents are not left without legal protection or financial support when a parent dies because of another party’s negligence, especially in complex cases involving government liability.

Parents Can File If There Are No Children or a Spouse

If the deceased had no surviving spouse or children, their parents may be permitted to file a wrongful death claim. California law extends this right when the parents can show financial dependence or a close familial relationship with the victim.

This provision is particularly important in fatal accidents involving young adults or unmarried individuals who supported their parents. In the Pacoima case, if the victim had no spouse or children, the parents may have legal standing to recover damages.

Other Heirs May Qualify in Certain Circumstances

In rare situations, other individuals, such as siblings, legal guardians, or financially dependent extended family members, may be allowed to file a wrongful death claim. These cases typically require proof of actual financial dependence or a recognized legal relationship with the deceased.

The wrongful death lawyers at King Law work closely with families to determine who qualifies under California law and to ensure that claims are filed by the correct parties within the required legal timeframe.

What Damages Can Families Recover After a Wrongful Death?

California wrongful death law allows eligible family members to seek both economic and non-economic damages. These damages are designed to compensate for the real, measurable losses that result from a loved one’s death, as well as the emotional impact.

Funeral and Burial Expenses

One of the most immediate and unavoidable costs after a fatal accident is the expense of laying a loved one to rest. Families in Pacoima can include funeral and burial expenses as part of their wrongful death claim. These costs are considered economic damages and are fully recoverable when another party is legally responsible for the death.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average cost of a funeral in California exceeds $9,000, a burden no family should have to bear alone after a fatal emergency vehicle crash.

Loss of Future Income and Benefits

Wrongful death claims often include projected income the deceased would have earned over their lifetime. This includes salary, pensions, bonuses, and job-related benefits. If the decedent provided for children, a spouse, or elderly parents, this loss can be devastating.

Financial experts are frequently brought in to calculate the full extent of lost earning capacity based on age, career trajectory, and life expectancy. At King Law, we make sure that future earnings and their impact on your family’s security are fully factored into your claim.

Loss of Companionship, Support, and Guidance

While economic losses are important, they do not capture the full harm caused by a wrongful death. California courts allow surviving family members to recover for non-economic damages, including the following.

Emotional Suffering

One of the most profound impacts of a wrongful death is the emotional suffering endured by surviving family members. This form of non-economic damage accounts for the grief, sadness, and psychological trauma caused by the sudden loss of a loved one. In the case of the Pacoima wrongful death crash, the surviving relatives may experience long-term emotional consequences, especially if the deceased played a central role in the family’s daily life or support system.

California courts recognize that emotional distress, though difficult to measure, has very real effects. Symptoms may include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress, all of which are considered when calculating compensation in a wrongful death claim. At King Law, we work with medical professionals and mental health experts to document these damages so they can be fairly included in your case.

Loss of Companionship

The loss of companionship refers to the deep void created when a spouse, partner, or close relative is no longer there to share in the everyday moments of life. This includes the absence of love, affection, shared experiences, and emotional intimacy. In the aftermath of a fatal accident like the one in Pacoima, a surviving spouse or partner may be entitled to compensation for this irreplaceable loss.

Unlike economic losses such as lost income, companionship is deeply personal and often the most painful to endure. Whether the victim was a young partner or an elderly spouse, the law allows surviving loved ones to claim damages that reflect the true impact of that absence. King Law ensures these claims are presented with clarity and backed by compelling testimony and expert evaluations.

Loss of Guidance to Children

When a parent dies in a preventable accident, the children lose far more than financial support; they lose guidance, mentorship, and emotional stability. California law allows families to pursue compensation for the loss of parental guidance, which encompasses the day-to-day support, advice, and life lessons a child would have received had the parent lived.

In wrongful death cases involving young children, this type of damage is especially significant. Courts take into account the age of the children, the parents’ role in their upbringing, and the long-term impact the death will have on their development. For families affected by the Pacoima wrongful death crash, this element may play a critical role in establishing the full extent of non-economic loss.

Mental Anguish

Mental anguish captures the long-term psychological toll a wrongful death takes on close family members. This form of non-economic damage includes ongoing emotional distress, fear, hopelessness, and the daily pain of living without a loved one. It is not uncommon for surviving relatives to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, or prolonged grief disorder following a tragic and sudden death.

These damages are highly personal and often difficult to quantify. But in a Pacoima wrongful death case, they may be among the most meaningful sources of justice and closure.

Pain and Suffering Before Death (via Survival Action)

If the deceased person survived for some time after the crash, even briefly, their estate may also file a survival action under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.30. This legal claim seeks compensation for:

Medical costs incurred before death
Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
Lost income during the period between injury and death

Survival actions are filed by the personal representative of the estate and are separate from the wrongful death claim filed by family members.

How King Law Helps Families Pursue Justice After a Fatal Crash

After a fatal accident like the one that occurred on March 30, 2025, at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street, families are often left with more questions than answers. What caused the crash? Who is legally responsible? How can we afford to move forward? At King Law, we provide answers, legal clarity, and unwavering support for families grappling with the devastating consequences of a wrongful death.

Pursuing justice in a Pacoima wrongful death case requires immediate action, deep legal knowledge, and the ability to stand firm against powerful entities, whether that’s a public agency, a government insurer, or a fleet management contractor. Our team has decades of experience investigating complex fatal collisions throughout Southern California, and we approach every case with the same guiding principle, your family deserves the full truth and the full value of what was lost.

We Launch an Independent Investigation Right Away

One of the most critical steps in any wrongful death claim is launching an independent investigation. While law enforcement will conduct its review, public reports are often limited or incomplete, especially when a government agency may be at fault. That’s why King Law acts immediately to secure time-sensitive evidence and build a comprehensive case.

Gathering Surveillance Footage and Crash Scene Data

In a high-traffic area like Pacoima, many intersections are surrounded by local businesses, public buildings, or residential areas. We canvass the area for any available video footage that may show how the crash occurred. This includes surveillance systems, traffic light cameras, and even private dashcams that may have captured the fatal moment.

Equally important is documenting the physical crash scene. We photograph debris fields, measure skid marks, and map out vehicle positions using digital forensics software. These early steps create a lasting record before the scene is cleaned up or altered, and give our forensic experts the raw data they need to recreate the crash with precision.

Consulting With Accident Reconstruction Experts

Wrongful death claims involving fire engines and public vehicles require expert interpretation. We retain top accident reconstructionist, engineers, and emergency vehicle safety specialists to determine how the crash happened and who was at fault. These experts analyze impact angles, driver reaction times, traffic flow, and intersection layout to offer courtroom-ready testimony that supports your claim.

In a crash as complex as the Pacoima fire engine collision, expert insight can mean the difference between a dismissed case and a multi-million-dollar recovery.

We Handle All Communication With Government Agencies and Insurers

In wrongful death cases involving public entities, grieving families often find themselves overwhelmed by paperwork, deadlines, and calls from government risk management departments. At King Law, we shield our clients from that stress by taking over all communication and correspondence from day one.

Filing Government Tort Claims on Time

Before a family can sue a public agency in California, they must file a formal claim within six months of the death. This legal requirement, known as the Government Claims Act process, is mandatory in all wrongful death cases involving public employees or city-operated vehicles, like the fire engine in Pacoima.

Our firm prepares and submits these claims in strict compliance with state rules. We include evidence, expert analysis, and legal citations to lay the groundwork for a lawsuit if the agency refuses to settle fairly. Missing this deadline or filing an incomplete claim can permanently bar your case, which is why it’s critical to have legal representation from the start.

Managing Insurance Negotiations and Defenses

When a city or department is sued, its insurer will often fight aggressively to avoid liability. These insurers may argue that the emergency driver had immunity, that the civilian vehicle was at fault, or that the family’s damages are limited. Our legal team prepares every case for trial, even when a settlement is possible. This approach gives us leverage at the negotiating table and makes it clear that we won’t settle for less than what your family truly deserves.

We communicate directly with adjusters, government attorneys, and defense counsel so you don’t have to. Every document we submit and every call we make is strategically crafted to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

We Calculate and Pursue Full and Fair Compensation

Many families underestimate the long-term financial impact of losing a loved one. It’s not just funeral costs or one-time expenses, it’s a lifetime of lost income, emotional support, and guidance that must be accounted for. At King Law, we work with economists, grief counselors, and financial planners to ensure your claim includes everything you’re legally entitled to.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

We pursue every category of recoverable damages under California law, including:

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of future earnings
Pain and suffering through a survival action
Emotional distress
Loss of companionship, care, and parental guidance

In a Pacoima wrongful death case, where the deceased may have been the family’s primary provider, these financial considerations are critical. We build a damages claim that reflects both present and future losses, so your family can move forward with security and dignity.

Punitive Damages in Cases of Recklessness

If our investigation shows that the fire engine driver or the agency acted with gross negligence, such as ignoring clear safety policies or operating the vehicle with known risks, we may also pursue punitive damages. These are awarded not to compensate the family directly, but to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

While not available in every case, punitive damages may apply in wrongful death claims involving reckless disregard for safety, such as high-speed emergency vehicle operation without due caution.

Contact King Law Today if You’ve Lost a Loved One in the Pacoima Wrongful Death Crash

If someone you love was killed in the tragic March 30, 2025, fire engine crash at San Fernando Road and Terra Bella Street in Pacoima, you are not alone and you are not powerless. The legal system gives you the right to demand answers, accountability, and compensation for the irreversible loss you’ve endured. At King Law, we are here to stand by your side through every step of that process.

Wrongful death claims involving government agencies are complex, time-sensitive, and emotionally charged. You need a team that understands not only the legal statutes but also the human cost of losing someone too soon. King Law has decades of experience representing families in high-stakes fatal crash cases across Los Angeles, and we bring compassion, precision, and relentless advocacy to every client we serve.

Do not wait. Under California’s Government Claims Act, you may have as little as six months from the date of death to take legal action. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence, filing claims, and protecting your family’s future.

Call King Law today at (805) 448-4306 or visit our contact page to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We’ll explain your rights, evaluate your case, and help you understand your options. You pay nothing unless we win for you.

The government already has lawyers working on their side. Now it’s time to put a legal team on yours.